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    Home » DIY » Build It » Storage » Desk Organizer Tutorial

    Desk Organizer Tutorial

    Published by Gail | Published February 3, 2017 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Hi it's Mindi from MyLove2Create!
    I have been in an organizing mood. Today I am sharing my Desk Organizer, and I kind of love it.

    Desk Organizer

    PIN IT! 

    So cute right?!

    wood before dry fitting

    Last week on my blog I shared a Repurposed Crib Paint Shelf (which has been totally awesome!) and I had some fence boards and crib slats left over (left).

    I grabbed the scraps and started playing around with how to make my desk organizer. After discovering some left over chicken wire, I knew I was in business...time to build!

    Start with the bottom and sides

    cutting dividers and sides

    I started by cutting the bottom piece, and then the two sides. For the dividers I just had to make sure they were ½''. That's the thickness of the wood less the the sides (top left).

    Then I laid out all the pieces. I measured up from the bottom for where the front board would be (top middle). Using a crib slat (top right) I measured from the back (1''), and then drew a line to match the two edges (bottom left). I cut all the board on this line at a 45 degree angle.

    Measure and mark front and back pieces

    measuring for back and sides

    For the front and back pieces I grabbed a scrap 1x3 board and a scrap piece of plywood that happened to be exactly the right width. Using my bottom board and dividers as a guide I marked my cut lines and trimmed the boards to fit.

    repurposing crib rails

    Now let's build the chicken wire frame. I grabbed the crib slats and used my organizer as my guide to measure and cut them to the correct width. The height? It was just a guestimate.

    Cut list for desk organizer

    desk organizer measurments

    This post contains Affiliate Links that help me at not cost to you!

    When you DIY you can make it to any size you want. But to make it easy if you don't want to think, here are the measurements of my organizer pieces. Keep in mind that you need to be aware of the thickness of your wood. My dividers and bottom pieces were about ½'' thick, and my front and back pieces were ¾'' thick.

    Drill Pocket Holes

    drilling pocket holes

    I grabbed my Kreg K5 Pocket-Hole Jig and drilled ½'' pocket holes into my crib slats. I also drilled into one slat so I could attach it to my organizer with pocket holes. The Kreg Jig Micro Drill Guide System to make the pocket holes smaller, since the slats were so small, to avoid splitting the wood.

    Need more details on using a Kreg Jig? See my article How to use a Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System

    attaching crib rails with pocket hole screws

    Then I clamped my frame down with my new Kreg Clamp Trak Kit and drilled the slats together with 1'' pocket hole screws and wood glue. If you have a sharp eye you may have noticed that the pocket holes I drilled on the middle board are facing inside the frame. I attached it the wrong way! Oops! I ended up having to re-drill new pocket holes next to these, but going the other way, luckily an easy fix.

    Cut and Staple Chicken Wire

    cutting and attaching chicken wire

    Did you know in a pinch you can cut chicken wire with pliers? I stapled it onto the back of the frame, and THEN went to get the scissors to trim off the excess.

    Assemble Desk Organizer with Pocket Hole Screws

    building divider box

    To build the organizer box, I used wood glue and finish nails. Using my Ryobi Nail Gun I started by attaching the two sides (top left). Next, I added the dividers (top right). Then the front and the back (bottom) making sure to nail into all sides and divider pieces.

    Wood Glue Insures Lasting Hold

    Adding chicken wire frame

    To finish it off I added glue to the back piece and screwed on my crib slat chicken wire frame with 1'' pocket hole screws. And that is it!

    Oh, I do want to mention if you are worried about the sharp chicken wire edges you can cut small strips of felt and hot glue them over the exposed wire edges to prevent scratches and injury. 🙂

    organizer done

    When I finished, I packed my tools into the organizer to take it inside...and realized it would be great in the workshop too!

    Time to Paint using Mindi's Favorite Color!

    spray painting desk organizer

    I had my kids vote on the color from my spray paint stash...truth Gail. They picked........BLUE!!! Muahahah! I have trained them well. 😉

    This color is left over from my Standing Coat Rack, and I am thinking this organizer would be cute in the entryway on the wall right next to it! So many great uses for this piece!

    Embellish with Chalkboard Labels & Washi Tape

    adding chalkboard label and washi tape

    After the paint dried, I went to my old standby of I Love Chalkboards. Instead of painting them on I remembered I had these cool stickers left over from my Cubby Storage Rack, and they saved the day!

    Of course when I went to find them I got side tracked and saw the washi tape, which reminded me of my Repurposed Hook Shelf...and I ended up decorating the clothes pins.

    Blue Desk Organizer With Chicken Wire Memo Holder

    front view of empty desk organizer

    Here it is before I went a little crazy with the washi tape!

    washi tape on organizer

    Then the after. Obviously the clothes pins weren't the only thing that got "jazzed" up. I think it makes it look fun. The best part is, you can take it off when you are tired of it, or want another color or pattern.

    side of organizer

    I love the fun addition of the chicken wire, for photos, quotes, important notes, or whatever!

    mail organizer

    So, what would use this for? I can think of so many different ideas, I would love to hear yours!

    Thanks for reading, and please come visit me at MyLove2Create for more great ideas!

    Mindi
    see more of Mindi's posts on MRL Here

     

    Related Content: See More Desk Projects Here

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    About Mindi

    Mindi is a wife, mother, runner, dancer, and a lover of all things fun and DIY.

    A few years ago she discovered blogs and fell in love with the idea that she could do things she had always dreamed of doing. Like build furniture from pallets, and make cool projects for her home.... Mindi was inspired by other bloggers that empowered her to create.

    Mindi decided to give back and possibly reach someone out there that has a desire to create like herself. She believes we all have that desire in some form or another, and we all DO create in our own way, every day. Whether it be crafty or not, even creating happiness in others is a gift that many share.

    Mindi loves to learn and use that knowledge to make beautiful and useful things for her home.

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    1. gail

      February 03, 2017 at 8:36 am

      Mindi,
      Another BLUE project--no real surprise. hahahah Your kids are mini mindi's. lol

      I love this desk organizer, and a great tutorial as always. Thanks !

      gail

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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